Long Lens for Airshows
Sep 10, 2017 03:19:04 #
if you are good at picking up a target as in bif's then 150-500mm will do fine. if you are like me then 100-300mm is about it. I have used a 100-300mm on both my dx and fx cameras. anything stronger and I have trouble acquiring the target long enough for auto focus to kick in. the other options are zone or infinity focusing.
Sep 10, 2017 03:19:04 #
if you are good at picking up a target as in bif's then 150-500mm will do fine. if you are like me then 100-300mm is about it. I have used a 100-300mm on both my dx and fx cameras. anything stronger and I have trouble acquiring the target long enough for auto focus to kick in. the other options are zone or infinity manual focusing.
Sep 10, 2017 05:58:13 #
ChackbayGuy wrote:
Fairly new to full frame but long time serious hob... (show quote)
A few months ago I faced the same dilemma but in the end came down on the side of the Nikkor 200 - 500mm f5.6. I already owned a Nikkor TC14EIII so if I needed to go beyond 500mm I could. The lens was to compliment my excellent Nikkor 300mm f4 PF VR, which seldom came off my D500. Since purchasing the 200 - 500mm I have hardly used the 300mm, the big zoom is that good. Capturing birds in flight is really rather easy with this lens, though it is a bit on the heavy side. My second choice would have been the Tamron.
Sep 10, 2017 06:33:13 #
Sep 10, 2017 06:36:34 #
ChackbayGuy wrote:
Fairly new to full frame but long time serious hob... (show quote)
Can't advise you on focal lengths for airshows as I have little experience at that (once), and don't know the lenses you listed. But I can feel for your feelings about being a lifetime Nikon / Nikkor user. I've been a lifelong Pentax user (film 6x7 included) and and have a lot of Pentax / Takumar glass. I do have a few non-Pentax lenses that I regularly use. Somehow I feel strange or dirty or something when I shoot with them. Optically they seem to be fine for the money.
Sep 10, 2017 06:43:37 #
Jeffcs
Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina
Nikkor all the way 200-500 is just so awesome
I'm a Nikkor only shooter
Early days had non Nikon glass and image quality was never as good as Nikkor lenses
My 2 cents
I'm a Nikkor only shooter
Early days had non Nikon glass and image quality was never as good as Nikkor lenses
My 2 cents
Sep 10, 2017 06:46:50 #
Tamron 150 to 600 will meet and surpass most of what you would have a desire to shoot.
I have been pleased with the Tamron lens That I have owed, do own and occasionally borrow.
The shot you shared? What did you use to capture that fleeting moment.
Great shot with nice DOF and composition.
I used a 18-300 for a lot of shows at Dobbins air base. I pan as I shoot and then crop back at the desk
I did loan a 600 a couple of times and then got one. Even the Nikon is a 5.6 so its choice of what do you want to pay.
I have been pleased with the Tamron lens That I have owed, do own and occasionally borrow.
The shot you shared? What did you use to capture that fleeting moment.
Great shot with nice DOF and composition.
I used a 18-300 for a lot of shows at Dobbins air base. I pan as I shoot and then crop back at the desk
I did loan a 600 a couple of times and then got one. Even the Nikon is a 5.6 so its choice of what do you want to pay.
Sep 10, 2017 06:57:25 #
ChackbayGuy wrote:
Fairly new to full frame but long time serious hob... (show quote)
I would go with Tamron or Sigma from those choices for the greater reach and wider view as well for close formations.
Sep 10, 2017 07:32:18 #
I too am a 90% Nikon man.
Lately though I dont have the money I used to have.
So on a couple of lens I wanted ( probably didn't need) I went to the Tamron and have been very pleased.
Lately though I dont have the money I used to have.
So on a couple of lens I wanted ( probably didn't need) I went to the Tamron and have been very pleased.
Sep 10, 2017 08:49:52 #
I have a Nikon D750 and the Tamron 150-600 G2 and I shoot wildlife and have been very happy with this lens.
Sep 10, 2017 09:31:54 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
ChackbayGuy wrote:
Fairly new to full frame but long time serious hob... (show quote)
How do you feel about hand holding a 5 lb. or 6 lb. or heavier lens (plus camera body and any accessories) for an hour or two?
Your best bet might be to get a D7200 or D7500 camera (DX format) and use a 70-300mm or 100-400mm lens on it. That gives you the same or better "reach" than using a much bigger, heavier lens like the above on your FX format D750. The DX camera and one of those shorter lenses would be far more "hand-holdable". (I use Canon gear and use both their 100-400mm... 3.5 lb.... and a 300mm f/4 with and without a 1.4X teleconverter... 2.5 lb. Either way, it's MUCH more hand-holdable than those bigger lenses.)
Sep 10, 2017 09:43:59 #
ChackbayGuy
Loc: South Louisiana
OK, amfoto1, now you've extended my research time. Hadn't really considered getting a DX format as a backup and specialty camera, but certainly will throw that into the mix. My next airshow shoot is Oct 13th, a Friday night show, so I have time to do some more thinking. When I upgraded to my D750 system, I gave my older D3100 system to a granddaughter getting into photography fairly seriously. The sunset photo was shot with the D3100 and the air to air was with my D750 with the 24-120 kit lens (on the camera most of the time). Back to the drawing board!
Sep 10, 2017 11:05:37 #
Mike Little
Loc: Ozark, Missouri
Or try a 800mm reflex mirror lens f/8 an yes I have held it can be done
Sep 10, 2017 11:40:30 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
ChackbayGuy wrote:
Fairly new to full frame but long time serious hob... (show quote)
I do air shows and my Nikon 200-500 seems to cover all the activities nicely. Personally I really like a wide angle for planes on the ground that I can walk around.
Sep 10, 2017 11:44:39 #
I use an older Sigma 170-500. Once I put an anti-creep band on it is a great all purpose lens. I use it with a D810. Very sharp
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